The occurrence of microplastics, an emerging contaminant in agricultural systems, is very poorly characterized. Plastics are a frequently observed component of marine debris and there is growing concern about microplastic ecotoxicity, and the impacts of sorbed hazardous organic contaminants, heavy metals and biofilms on microplastic surfaces. However, microplastics are increasingly being found in terrestrial freshwater environments in addition to marine systems. To date, there is little information about how surrounding land use affects the concentrations of microplastics in freshwater streams. The primary research question to be addressed in this project is how concentrations of microplastics in freshwater streams differ between agricultural and suburban land uses.
Advisor Name: | Shannon Bartelt-Hunt | |
Email: | sbartelt@unl.edu | |
Secondary Contact: | Meredith Sutton | |
Secondary Contact E-mail: | msutton14@huskers.unl.edu | |
Website: | https://engineering.unl.edu/eqclab/ | |
Advisor College: | Engineering | |
Advisor Department: | Civil and Environmental Engineering | |
Potential Student Tasks: | The student will collect and analyze microplastics from streams in agricultural and suburban areas in Nebraska. The student will separate and characterize the microplastics using microscopy. We will hold weekly research meetings with the graduate student and faculty mentors where the student will present progress updates. | |
Student Qualifications: | Students from any major with an interest in environmental issues are welcome to apply. Responsible and detailed oriented with an interest in reading scientific literature and conducting laboratory experiments. | |
Training, Mentoring, and Workplace Community: | Our lab group investigates how the environment can influence people’s health. We are a collaborative group with graduate and undergraduate student researchers all focused on water quality issues. Many alumni from the lab have continued on to graduate school. | |
Available Positions | 1 |